How Rotten Wood Could Destroy Your House

Dry Rot

Dry Rot is a fungicide (Serpula Lacrymans) which only exists because of the presence of more than 20% moisture in the affected timbers.

Strands can extend far from the damp timber and can pass through brickwork, masonry and behind plaster structures.

Dry Rot can travel far from the original source to the furthest extremities of your property and in its own ideal environment of warmth and damp, can move as much as 18 inches per month.

This is the most aggressive type of wood rot so it is essential to ensure that your bath, shower, washing machine, drains and radiators do not leak.

Ensure your roof keeps the water out and that rainwater down pipes exit away from your property and drain away effectively. Take steps to eradicate rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation.

Treatment

Treatment must be carried out by a specialist like ourselves because the work can be extensive. Removal of all affected timber and plaster, followed by fungicide sterilisation of brickwork and mortar is usually required.

After treatment you must ensure the property is kept dry and well ventilated.

Treatment is carried out with environmentally friendly green chemicals. You can re-enter the treated areas in the property after about 1 hour.

We would be happy to advise you how best to do this.

Wet Rot

Although there are different types, Wet Rot (Coniophora Puteana) is most common. This is much easier to treat and eradicate than the more aggressive Dry Rot.

Treatment

Treatment will involve the elimination of the source of water and by cutting out the affected timbers.

New timbers would be installed which would be treated and protected from any damp surfaces by a plastic damp proof membrane.

All timbers would then be sprayed with a suitable Wet Rot insecticide/fungicide for further protection to the affected and non-affected areas.

After treatment you must ensure the property is kept dry and well ventilated.

You can re-enter the treated areas inside the property after about 1 hour. Treatment is carried out with environmentally friendly green chemicals.

Request a Survey

My name is Steve Parry and I’m happy to take your enquiry and arrange a home visit with you.

If you think Stay Warm and Dry can help remedy your property’s damp issues, contact me by phone or email.